“Document” (1987): Peter Buck once claimed Side 1 is his favorite R.E.M. album side ever, and it’s hard to disagree. It’s balanced by the more esoteric bent of Side 2.

“Out of Time” (1991): A beguiling collection of beautiful pop songs.

“Automatic for the People” (1992): In many ways the most emotionally wrenching album the group ever made.

“New Adventures in Hi-Fi” (1996): The last album of the Bill Berry era and one of the band’s most underrated, a collection of scrappy, poignant, anxiety-ridden songs recorded hit-and-run style on the road.